We were honoured this week to be invited to break fast with some friends and some strangers who quickly became friends during this evening meal. We shared Iftar on a beach in Beit Lahia, in a cafe ran by Al Basma club, which is a club for and run by some of the the deaf community in Gaza Strip. We will be following up with a report on Al Basma club later, but for now please enjoy the pictures of Beit Lahia beach, sunset, Iftar meal, volley ball and the sweet children playing in the sea. More proof that despite the siege and sometimes unbearable living conditions in Gaza strip, Palestinians continue not just to exist, but to live, to share, to welcome and to enjoy life, as was once said…….palestinians teach life !!!

The Holy Family Church is home to just a couple of hundred Catholics resident in the Gaza strip. With the help of the Church in Jerusalem and elsewhere, the parish runs schools for Moslem and Christian children, as well as a centre for the elderly and needy. The Argentinian born parish priest Fr Jorge, along with his other priests and sisters of the church, also provides food and medicine for some of the most needy families in Gaza, regardless of religion or Political affiliation.

Today, we were invited to attend the Children’s end of term school Concert. The children sang in Spanish, Russian and Arabic, the depicted scenes from the Bible, One young girl played the trumpet, another group danced traditional Palestinian Dabka, Fr. Jorge said a few words, they all sang on stage for the finale just before finishing with a firework show…

Enjoy the pictures…

( My apologies for the bad imaging , I only had my mobile phone with me!!)

Local Initiative Group, Beit Lahiya, Gaza Strip organised and ran their Summer Camp this week. Obviously, from the pictures , you will see the boys all had a chance to play, run, swim , interract and just be “boys” for a while…..

A major “Thanks ” goes to all who donated via Irish in Gaza paypal site towards this camp, The children thank you, We thank you,

Enjoy the Pictures……

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To donate to Irish in Gaza and any of their projects, please use the paypal button at the top of each post or email us jennygraham7@gmail.com , for bank details…..